Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 305

In the folk traditions of modern Greece, Callicantzari is the name given to the beings we know from ancient myth as satyrs. These beings are still said to inhabit the upland slopes of forested mountains. Some, such as the Irish leprechauns, can be quite small while other Callicantzari are giant in stature but have the contorted features of monstrous goats. The latter kind live underground and are occupied with trying to undermine the world tree Yggdrasil which supports the universe. Every year towards Christmas and during the twelve intercalary days between the Old and New Year, they are free to roam about, but while they are absent, the world tree grows sufficiently to make good their damage. During their days of freedom, they whirl about the Earth at night, creating chaos, carrying off women, dancing with strangers, but any home from which fire can be seen is safe from their depredations. On the island of Chios, it is believed that any child born during the twelve days of Christmas may become a Callicantzaros (singular) and has to be branded upon the heel to avoid this occurrence.